Monday, November 17, 2014

Hobbi Games at ESGS 2014


After experiencing game conventions for the first time at PGF 2014, I kept wanting more. A little over a month has passed, and here we are at another gaming event. This time it's the E-Sports and Gaming Summit. For those who have yet to hear about this, the event's main draw are about e-sports tournaments. Aside from these tournaments, however, they also gave the indie developers a chance to showcase their games for the visitors to play. IGDA Manila was given a booth and Hobbi Games was a very honored recipient of an invitation to be one of the exhibitors. For the first time, we are attending an event as as an exhibitor!
IGDA Manila exhibitors

IGDA's lineup consists of Warrior Defense, Barber Hero, Caves & Chasms, Project CQB, Super Tiny Monkey, and Fizz + Hummer. I gotta say, aside from our own game, the lineup amazed me. The quality and fun factor of the games in our booth has transcended the image and appeal of local indie games, at least in my mind.
Sponsors and showcases. Can you spot the STM logo?
From time to time I sneak out of our booth and let my partner do the work, because I wanted to check out all the other games. It would have been such a waste if I didn't get to try them out, no?



Quickfire Games was here, and just like with PGF, they're showcasing Wild Season and Hayaku Ninja. Finally, I had the chance to play both games. Playing Wild Season immediately reminded me of the Harvest Moon days, what with a farm, a mayor, and a bunch of single girls that I'm sure you're bound to have a relationship with. The game is still in alpha, so it would be too early to make judgment calls on anything. While Wild Season has a relaxed pace, Hayaku Ninja is the opposite. It's got a frantic "catch falling stuff" (in it's case it's falling mochi) gameplay, and a boss battle to boot.

As I wander around I also took pictures of other booths and their on-going events.















Other games that I was also able to try were Super Awesome Quest by Boomzap, Nightfall by Zeenoh Games, Limbones by St.Benilde, Kaloka by Pepe Berba, and Jumping Jean by Javi Almirante. I wanted to try more games, but as an exhibitor myself, I have to get back to work!
St.Benilde booth. I remember when I was making DOS games in college...

Boomzap booth. I got reconnected with an old colleague here

Zeenoh games with their horror game Nightfall

"Kaloka" is a must try. The title is very apt.

Jumping Jean. I enjoyed playing this.
Going back to the IGDA Manila booth, people are just pouring in. Maybe it's because we're showcasing good games, or was it because we're next to the snack station?










Some media reps also came in to try our games. I felt especially nervous around them, because I don't know how to be a salesman! I built my career around software engineering, and selling my own product is a first for me. Getting interviewed is also a first for me.


Haogamers was here

TooMuchGaming was also here






The event went for 2 days, and considering the drive from and back to Bulacan, manning the booth, standing and walking around for an entire day, it was exhausting to say the least; but it all paid off when I think about the great experience I had talking to fellow developers, industry veterans, and the players themselves. Hearing their feedback on how they enjoy the game is such a fine feeling that just wipes all the exhaustion away. On the other hand, listening to their comments, suggestions, and advice made me so happy, because it proves that they are interested in what I offer. I may have been making games for more than 10 years, but it was primarily  just a hobby, and I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to designing commercial games. I also don't have a full understanding of the market yet.Their words gave me direction and motivation. You guys are simply awesome!


Mr.Evan Spytma, Regional Country Manager for Unity Singapore

Me talking to Mr. Nimit Panpalia of POKKT. We had a very insightful conversation about market standards and business sense. I was so lucky to have met him. Also in the frame is Mr. Evan Spytma playing Project CQB
To celebrate each day of the event, we at Hobbi Games went out to dinner.






A special shout out goes to the 4 winners of the Super Tiny Monkey t-shirt!


Jose Rafael Dimatera

Jan Michael Lim

Jerome Delos Santos

Rafael San Antoni [sic]


-- LJ


To contact the author, just send your e-mail to hobbigames@gmail.com

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